Adrian Watkins

“The best managers reinforce how and why each person’s contribution is fundamental to the team’s success.” Gallup.

First Question: What is your contribution?
People are energized when their contribution is understood and appreciated.

Here’s a walk-about question you might use today.  “I believe you’re making important contributions. What contributions do you think you’re making?”

(Find creative ways to complete the above question, “to our customer’s success,” for example.) Note: If you’re afraid to ask the question, maybe it’s time to work on helping people know they’re contributing.

Second Question: What are you great at?
People are energized when their strengths are understood, appreciated, leveraged and improved.

“The best managers … actively create a culture of continuous learning.” Gallup.

Here’s a walk-about question you might use tomorrow.  “I think you’re really great at … . What do you think you’re great at?”

Third Question: What are your aspirations?
People are energized when their current work develops their skills and advances their career.

Here’s a walk-about question for Wednesday. “What are your aspirations?” Or, “Where would you like to be in five years and how can I help you get there?”

Fourth Question: How can we set you up for success?
People are energized when the path for success is clear and attainable with hard work. Success is about:

• Challenge
• Training
• Feedback
• Coaching

42% of Millennials want feedback every week—more than twice the percentage of every other generation. HBR

Here’s a walk-about question for Friday: “Who’s helping you develop your skills and advance your career?” (Everyone goes further with someone.)